We have three free range chickens we got in April. The coop is not ready for them to lay eggs. Yesterday I noticed at night when I went to lock up their coop that only one chicken was inside and the other two were still out huddled together. Next day we let all three chickens out and three hours later only find two. Of course I have considered the fact that a predator got to the chic but also thought maybe she went off to lay her eggs. Would she leave the flock and if so how long would she sit on them unfertilized? Or could she have been sick and the rest of the flock kicked her out?
I would lay my money on predator or that she's sitting on a nest. Did you see sign of her getting taken? Blood or feathers?
One of my pullets hides her nest, and you have 10 days to find it or she is setting! I have a hen that is setting on what I think are dead eggs, if no chicks in the next few days I will remove her from them as I think they are already to old (forgot to mark it). Search all hiding places for her, you may find her! Also they will come off the nest to eat, poo ect 2 or 3 times a day and be all puffy. If you can spot her off the nest, just watch and she will lead you to it.
thank you for your reply! She came back that night! We are working on the coop so she'll lay eggs in instead of out.